The Bugatti Veyron Super Sport just snagged the title of "World's Fastest Production Car" away from the American-built SSC Ultimate Aero. Now the folks at Shelby SuperCars are hinting at a new, faster Aero to challenge the German behemoth.

The facts are coming in fast and loose, but here's what we know: At around 9:00 am (PST), an…
Read more Read more

In a statement released after the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport set a new production car land speed record of 268 MPH, the makers of the now second-fastest SSC Ultimate Aero first applaud the company:

We would sincerely like to congratulate Bugatti... When the Ultimate Aero broke the record in 2007, we knew it was just a matter of time until it was broken by someone else.

And then they make mention of where they're going with their newest vehicle:

[W]e've been working on a new project to debut before the end of the summer. Not much can be said at this time except that we'll be upping the ante on all fronts. Having famed American designer Jason Castriota as our lead design enables SSC to reflect its engineer and performance in its aesthetics. It's impossible for us to be more thrilled about having him on board and we're anxious to show the world what we have up our sleeve.

The current SSC Utlimate Aero TT is a pure high-performance supercar. Powered by a mid-engined, twin-turbo 6.2-liter V8 producing a time-warping 1,183 hp it's less a fashion accessory and more a strategic weapon and up until this week it held the fastest production car time at 256 mph. Not just a straight-line rocket, the car can also change directions, beating the Ferrari Enzo around Road & Track's slalom course.

In order to top the Veyron, any vehicle they produce is going to have to add power, drop weight, and get slippery. No details yet on the first two points, but the appearance of Jason Castriota clears up the last one. The hip designer responsible for penning both the Bertone Mantide and Pininfarina P4/5's going to attempt to wrangle a few tenths off the car's coefficient of drag while giving it a more unique treatment.